The orientation was divided into two (2) sessions including daytime and evening sessions, to accommodate the working students.

Pacific Technical and Further Education (Pacific TAFE) is a strategically amalgamated and integrated learning and teaching section which offers high quality Skills Based Qualifications (SBQ’s), Foundation and Preliminary studies.

The programmes provide employment opportunities at entry and para professional levels, pathways for higher studies at USP where approved, and career advancement for working people.

The four (4) learning and teaching units are College of Business, Tourism & Hospitality; College of Arts & Humanities; College of Science, Technology & Environment; and Workforce Development Training Unit (WDTU).

Mr Hasmukh Lal, Executive Director of Pacific TAFE congratulated the students for securing a place at the University, and especially for choosing to study at Pacific TAFE.

“You experience here and your success is important to each and every member of staff who are part of Pacific TAFE,” Mr Lal told the students.

Mr Lal shared three (3) values that he cultivated during his time at the University, which are believing in oneself and staying focused; time management; and learning to embrace diversity.

He further told the students that their programmes are time bound and needs to be completed within a prescribed time for full time students.

Students came in numbers to attend Pacific TAFE’s orientation.

“How you prioritise and plan your time will make you a winner. You have to sacrifice social occasions while on this mission,” he said.

The University, Mr Lal said is a melting pot for Pacific cultures and said that students come from different backgrounds and communities to pursue their ambitions.

In a large institution, he added, it can be tempting to associate with familiar students and people. However, he advised students to make use of this opportunity and embrace the different cultures and backgrounds from the diversity of students present at the University.

“Get to know people who are different from you. It could be someone from a different part of the country, or from another country, of a different ethnicity, and religion who has different views from you, or who has different interests and perspectives,” Mr Lal said.

As a final word of advice, Mr Lal told the students to build their intellectual capacity through studies, while nurturing their character, adding that “you will excel in work if you have both.”

Mr Hamish McCracken, Head of College of Business, Tourism and Hospitality, Dr Brad Carte, Head of College of Science, Technology and Environment, and Mrs Liviana Tabalala, Head of College of Arts and Humanities welcomed the students on behalf of their respective colleges and introduced the students to the Course Coordinators and Facilitators.

This news item was published on 6 Feb 2018 12:22:44 pm. For more information or any High-Res Images, please contact us on email communications@usp.ac.fj